Isaiah 17:1 — Word Study
WLCמַשָּׂ֖א דַּמָּ֑שֶׂק הִנֵּ֤ה דַמֶּ֙שֶׂק֙ מוּסָ֣ר מֵעִ֔יר וְהָיְתָ֖ה מְעִ֥י מַפָּלָֽה׃
BSA[This is] the burdenmassâʼ [message from God, prophecy] ◂against DamascusDammeseq Beholdhinnêh [look, see] ◂DamascusDammeseq [the capital city of Syria] is no longerçûwr a cityʻîyr [a place of human habitation] it has becomehâyâh a heapmᵉʻîy△ [pile of rubble] of ruinsmappâlâh [a state of decay, devastation]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מַשָּׂ֖א | [the] oracle of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| דַּמָּ֑שֶׂק | Damascus | Noun proper |
| הִנֵּ֤ה | there! | Particle |
| דַמֶּ֙שֶׂק֙ | Damascus | Noun proper |
| מוּסָ֣ר | [is] about to be removed | Verb, Hophal, participle (passive) masculine singular |
| מֵעִ֔יר | from a city | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| וְהָיְתָ֖ה | and it will be | Verb, Qal, sequential perfect third person feminine singular |
| מְעִ֥י | a ruin of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| מַפָּלָֽה׃ | a ruin | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | This is the burden against Damascus: “Behold, Damascus is no longer a city; it has become a heap of ruins. |
| KJV | The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap. |
| ASV | The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap. |
| YLT | The burden of Damascus. Lo, Damascus is taken away from [being] a city, And it hath been a heap — a ruin. |
| WEB | The burden of Damascus. “Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap. |
| BBE | The word about Damascus. See, they have made Damascus a town no longer; it has become a waste place. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of the prophecy's implications — see How Translations Differ.
The verse consists of a main clause followed by an exclamatory clause and a result clause, emphasizing the prophetic declaration and its consequences.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectדַּמֶּשֶׂק
verbסוּר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 9 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Isaiah 17:1
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Burden Against Damascusgenerated
Isaiah 17:1 presents a prophetic message about the impending destruction of Damascus, a significant city in Syria. This prophecy emphasizes the seriousness of God's judgment against cities that turn away from Him. The subsequent verses elaborate on the desolation that will follow, illustrating a broader theme of divine retribution found throughout the book of Isaiah.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 15:1 | This is the burden against Moab: Ar in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night! Kir in Moab is devastated, destroyed in a night! |
| 2 | Isaiah 19:1 | This is the burden against Egypt: Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud; He is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them. |
| 3 | Isaiah 7:8 | For the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be shattered as a people. |
| 4 | Genesis 14:15 | During the night, Abram divided his forces and routed Chedorlaomer’s army, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. |
| 5 | Genesis 15:2 | But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 20 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מַשָּׂא, ma.Sa'generated
The word מַשָּׂא (massa') is a noun meaning 'burden' or 'oracle.' It is derived from a root that suggests carrying or lifting, often referring to a prophetic message conveyed by a prophet. In this context, it signifies a serious message from God regarding the fate of Damascus.
The use of this term indicates that the prophecy is not merely a statement but carries weight and significance, as it addresses the consequences of the city's actions. It appears frequently in prophetic literature, underscoring the importance of God's messages delivered through His prophets.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations of this verse generally agree in conveying the judgment against Damascus.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is מוּסָר, is about to be removed, which governs the structure of the sentence. The sentence begins with the subject דַּמֶּשֶׂק, Damascus, followed by the verb and additional clauses that describe its fate.
The syntax emphasizes the prophetic declaration, with the structure highlighting the subject and the consequences that follow. The order of the words indicates the focus on Damascus and its impending ruin.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, דַּמֶּשֶׂק is rendered as δαμασκὸς, which maintains the reference to the city. This choice reflects a direct translation that preserves the significance of Damascus as a key location in the prophecy.
The Greek term ἀρθήσεται corresponds to the Hebrew verb מוּסָר, indicating a similar understanding of the city's removal, reinforcing the prophetic message's severity.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Isaiah 17:1 states that God has a message about Damascus, declaring that it will no longer be a city but will instead become a heap of ruins. This verse highlights the consequences of the city's actions and serves as a warning about divine judgment.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The prophecy signifies God's judgment against Damascus for its actions, indicating that it will face destruction and become uninhabitable.
Damascus is significant as a major city in Syria and a center of trade, mentioned in various biblical narratives.
The phrase 'heap of ruins' implies total destruction, indicating that the city will be left desolate and uninhabitable.
This verse relates to broader themes of judgment and retribution found in Isaiah, where God addresses the consequences of nations turning away from Him.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can we learn from the judgment against Damascus about the consequences of turning away from God?
- How does this prophecy reflect the nature of God's warnings throughout the Bible?
- What does the imagery of a 'heap of ruins' convey about the seriousness of divine judgment?
- In what ways can we apply the lessons from this prophecy to our own lives and communities?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers, including Jerome, quoted this verse to illustrate the prophetic judgment against Damascus, highlighting its significance in biblical prophecy.
Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city, and it will be like a heap of stones in ruin. The deserted cities will be for flocks, and they will rest there, and there will be no one to frighten them away.Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 17 →
The burden of Damascus: Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city, and it will become a heap of ruins. The cities of Aroer will be deserted for the flocks, and they will have rest with none to make them afraid.Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 17 →
The Burden of Damascus. Symmachus and Theodotion, The Assumption of Damascus: LXX, The Word against Damascus, adding their own account of what they did in Moab at the beginning.Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 17 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Isaiah 17:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe burden of Damascus,.... A heavy and grievous prophecy, concerning the destruction of it; the Arabic version is, "the prophecy of Isaiah concerning Damascus;'' and the Targum is, "the burden of
Read John Gill on Isaiah 17 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 17 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleISAIAH CHAPTER 17 Damascus, Samaria, Israel, and their cities, to be ruined by the Assyrians, . A remnant shall consider and repent, . The rest plagued for their impiety, . The woe of Israel’ s enemies, . The burden of Damascus; both of that city and kingdom, as appears from ,3. It shall be a ruinous heap: this was fulfilled by Tiglath-pileser, , although afterwards it was re-edified and possessed by another sort of inhabitants.
Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 17 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsIsaiah 17:1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from [being] a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.Ver. 1. The burden of Damascus.] See Isaiah 13:1. Of Damascus.] That is, of the kingdom of Syria, the head city whereof was Damascus; and it was destroyed by Shalmaneser five or six years after this burdenous prophecy; the like whereunto, see Isaiah 49:23 Amos 1:2 Zechariah 9:1. It had been taken before by Tiglathpileser, and hath been rebuilded since, being at this day a noble city of the East - civitas laetitiae et laudabilis, as Jeremiah calleth it. And it shall be a ruinous heap.] It was so till re-edified, and inhabited by a new people.
Read John Trapp on Isaiah 17 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English ReadersXVII. (1) The burden of Damascus.—Syria, it will be remembered, had been “confederate with Ephraim,” i.e., with the kingdom of Israel, against Judah in the reign of Ahaz, and the prophet had then foretold its overthrow by Assyria (Isaiah 7:1-16). In 2 Kings 16:9, 2 Chron. 28:29, we have a partial fulfilment of that prediction. Writing probably early in the reign of Hezekiah, Isaiah now looks forward to a further fulfilment in the future. Damascus is taken away from being a city . . .—The words emphasise the result of the Assyrian invasion. The city of ancient days (Genesis 15:2) should lose glory and be no more worthy of the name; struck out, as it were, from the list of the great cities of…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 17 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleCHAPTER XVII Judgments of God upon Damascus, 1-3; and upon Israel, 4-6. Good effects of these judgments on the small remnant or gleaning that should escape them, 7, 8. The same judgments represented in other but stronger terms, and imputed to irreligion and neglect of God, 9-11. The remaining verses are a distinct prophecy, a beautiful detached piece, worked up with the greatest elegance, sublimity, and propriety; and forming a noble description of the formidable invasion and sudden overthrow of Sennacherib, exactly suitable to the event, 12-14. This prophecy by its title should relate only to Damascus; but it full as much concerns, and more largely treats of, the kingdom of Samaria and the…
Read AdamClarke on Isaiah 17 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe burden of Damascus - The oracle indicating calamity or destruction to Damascus (see the note at Isaiah 13:1). “Damascus is taken away.” That is, it shall be destroyed.
Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 17 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible1. Burden — An oracle, a declaration, or a conviction moving to utter a threat. See Isaiah 13:1. Later critical scholars reject this phrase here, as added by copyists.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Isaiah 17 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
This is the burden against Damascus: “Behold, Damascus is no longer a city; it has become a heap of ruins.
The burden of Damascus. “Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap.
This is the burden against Damascus: “Behold, Damascus is no longer a city; it has become a heap of ruins.
Here is a message about Damascus: “Look, Damascus is no longer a city, it is a heap of ruins!
Tyndale line
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
The burden of Damascus. Beholde, Damascus is taken away from being a citie, for it shall be a ruinous heape.
Strictly literal
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from [being] a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
The burden of Damascus. Lo, Damascus is taken away from [being] a city, And it hath been a heap — a ruin.
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from [being] a city, || And it has been a heap—a ruin.
The doom of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is deprived of being a city, and it shall become decaying ruins.
A declaration about Damascus.
From the Latin
The burden of Damascus. Behold Damascus shall cease to be a city, and shall be as a ruinous heap of stones.
Simplified
A message about Damascus. Look, Damascus will cease to exist as a city. Instead it will become a pile of ruins.
The word about Damascus. See, they have made Damascus a town no longer; it has become a waste place.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Dead Sea Scrolls show agreement in the wording of this verse, with both sources reflecting the same prophetic message regarding Damascus. The Septuagint also aligns closely, with a word-for-word correspondence in most parts, confirming the consistency of the prophecy across these ancient witnesses.
מַשָּׂ֖א דַּמָּ֑שֶׂק הִנֵּ֤ה דַמֶּ֙שֶׂק֙ מוּסָ֣ר מֵעִ֔יר וְהָיְתָ֖ה מְעִ֥י מַפָּלָֽה׃
8 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
משא דרמשק הנה דרמשק מוסר מעיר והיית מעי מפלה
9 words on the leather.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Isaiah 17:1
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
מַשָּׂא (massa') refers to a load or burden, encompassing meanings like tribute and lifting. It can also signify an utterance or oracle, often linked to prophecy or song. The word is built from the root meaning to carry or lift, and it appears in contexts related to both physical and figurative burdens.
מַשָּׂא n.m. load, burden, lifting, bearing, tribute
base
מַשָּׂא n.m. utterance, oracle
base
H4853a מַשָּׂא load, burden, lifting, bearing, tribute H4853b מַשָּׂא utterance, oracle
4853 massa' mas-saw'
from 5375; a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly)
porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom,
especially singing; mental, desire:--burden, carry away,
prophecy, X they set, song, tribute.
see HEBREW for 05375
מַשָּׂא (mas.sa) — burden.
1) load, bearing, tribute, burden, lifting
1a) load, burden
1b) lifting, uplifting, that to which the soul lifts itself up
1c) bearing, carrying
1d) tribute, that which is carried or brought or borne
מַשָּׂא (mas.sa) — oracle.
utterance, oracle, burden
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
דַּמֶּשֶׂק (Dammeseq) refers to Damascus, an ancient city in Syria known for its significance as a trading center. The name is thought to mean 'silent is the sackcloth weaver.' It appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, emphasizing its historical prominence.
דַּמֶּ֫שֶׂק n.pr.loc. Damascus
base
H1834 דַּמֶּשֶׂק Damascus
1834 Dammeseq dam-meh'-sek
or Duwmeseq {doo-meh'-sek}; or Darmeseq {dar-meh'-sek}; of
foreign origin; Damascus, a city of Syria:--Damascus.
דַּמֶּ֫שֶׂק (dam.me.seq) — Damascus.
§ Damascus = "silent is the sackcloth weaver"
an ancient trading city, capital of Syria, located in the plain east of Hermon, 130 (205 km) miles northeast of Jerusalem
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
da-mas'-kus:
1. The Name
2. Situation and Natural Features
3. The City Itself
4. Its History
(1) The Early Period (to circa 950 BC)
(2) The Aramean Kingdom (circa 950-732 BC)
(3) The Middle Period (732 BC-650 AD)
(4) Under Islam
1. Name:
The English name is the same as the Greek Damaskos. The Hebrew name is Dammeseq, but the Aramaic form Darmeseq, occurs in 1Ch 18:5; 2Ch 28:5. The name appears in Egyptian inscriptions as Ti-mas-ku (16th century BC), and Sa-ra-mas-ki (13th century BC), which W. M. Muller, Asien u. Europa, 227, regards as representing Ti-ra-mas-ki, concluding from the "ra" in this form that Damascus had by that time passed under Aramaic influence. In the Tell el-Amarna Letters the forms Ti-ma-as-gi and Di-mas-ka occur. The Arabic name is Dimashk esh-Sham ("Damascus of Syria")…
Damascus
Activity, the most ancient of Oriental cities; the capital of Syria (Isa. 7:8; 17:3); situated about 133 miles to the north of Jerusalem. Its modern name is Esh-Sham; i.e., “the East.”
The situation of this city is said to be the most beautiful of all Western Asia. It is mentioned among the conquests of the Egyptian king Thothmes III. (B.C. 1500), and in the Amarna tablets (B.C. 1400).
It is first mentioned in Scripture in connection with Abraham’s victory over the confederate kings under Chedorlaomer (Gen. 14:15). It was the native place of Abraham’s steward (15:2). It is not again noticed till the time of David, when “the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer” (q.v.), 2 Sam. 8:5;
one of the most ancient and most important of the cities of Syria. It is situated 130 miles northeast of Jerusalem, in a plain of vast size and of extreme fertility, which lies east of the great chain of Anti-Libanus, on the edge of the desert. This fertile plain, which is nearly circular and about 30 miles in diameter, is due to the river Barada , which is probably the "Abana" of Scripture. Two other streams the Wady Helbon upon the north and the Awaj, which flows direct from Hermon upon the south, increase the fertility of the Damascene plain, and contend for the honor of representing the "Pharpar" of Scripture. According to Josephus, Damascus was founded by Uz grandson of Shem. It is first mentioned in Scripture in connection with Abraham, (Genesis 14:15) whose steward was a native of the place. (
A celebrated metropolis of Syria, first mentioned in Ge 14:15 15:2, and now probably the oldest city on the globe. It stands on the river Barada, the ancient Chrysorrhoas, in a beautiful and fertile plain on the east and south east of Anti-Lebanon. See ABANA, and Pharpar. This plain is about fifty miles in circumference; it is open to the desert of Arabiaon the south and east, and is bounded on the other sides by the mountains. The region around and north of Damascus, including probably the valley between the ridges of Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon, is called in the Scriptures, "Syria of Damascus," 2Sa 8:5, and by Strabo, Coelesyria. This city, which at first had its own kings, was taken by David, 2Sa 8:5,6; and by Jeroboam
הִנֵּה (hinneh) is a Hebrew word meaning 'behold' or 'lo!' It serves as a demonstrative particle used to draw attention, appearing in contexts such as Genesis 19:2. The word is derived from a prolongation of another Hebrew term, but the entries do not provide further details on its usage beyond this.
הִנֵּה, once הִנֶּה־ Gn 19:2, demonstr.part. lo!, behold!
base
H2009 הִנֵּה, הִנֶּה־ lo!, behold!
2009 hinneh hin-nay'
prolongation for 2005; lo!:--behold, lo, see.
see HEBREW for 02005
הִנֵּה (hin.neh) — behold.
behold, lo, see, if
Part — ParticleHTj
דַּמֶּשֶׂק (Dammeseq) refers to Damascus, an ancient city in Syria known for its significance as a trading center. The name is thought to mean 'silent is the sackcloth weaver.' It appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, emphasizing its historical prominence.
דַּמֶּ֫שֶׂק n.pr.loc. Damascus
base
H1834 דַּמֶּשֶׂק Damascus
1834 Dammeseq dam-meh'-sek
or Duwmeseq {doo-meh'-sek}; or Darmeseq {dar-meh'-sek}; of
foreign origin; Damascus, a city of Syria:--Damascus.
דַּמֶּ֫שֶׂק (dam.me.seq) — Damascus.
§ Damascus = "silent is the sackcloth weaver"
an ancient trading city, capital of Syria, located in the plain east of Hermon, 130 (205 km) miles northeast of Jerusalem
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
da-mas'-kus:
1. The Name
2. Situation and Natural Features
3. The City Itself
4. Its History
(1) The Early Period (to circa 950 BC)
(2) The Aramean Kingdom (circa 950-732 BC)
(3) The Middle Period (732 BC-650 AD)
(4) Under Islam
1. Name:
The English name is the same as the Greek Damaskos. The Hebrew name is Dammeseq, but the Aramaic form Darmeseq, occurs in 1Ch 18:5; 2Ch 28:5. The name appears in Egyptian inscriptions as Ti-mas-ku (16th century BC), and Sa-ra-mas-ki (13th century BC), which W. M. Muller, Asien u. Europa, 227, regards as representing Ti-ra-mas-ki, concluding from the "ra" in this form that Damascus had by that time passed under Aramaic influence. In the Tell el-Amarna Letters the forms Ti-ma-as-gi and Di-mas-ka occur. The Arabic name is Dimashk esh-Sham ("Damascus of Syria")…
Damascus
Activity, the most ancient of Oriental cities; the capital of Syria (Isa. 7:8; 17:3); situated about 133 miles to the north of Jerusalem. Its modern name is Esh-Sham; i.e., “the East.”
The situation of this city is said to be the most beautiful of all Western Asia. It is mentioned among the conquests of the Egyptian king Thothmes III. (B.C. 1500), and in the Amarna tablets (B.C. 1400).
It is first mentioned in Scripture in connection with Abraham’s victory over the confederate kings under Chedorlaomer (Gen. 14:15). It was the native place of Abraham’s steward (15:2). It is not again noticed till the time of David, when “the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer” (q.v.), 2 Sam. 8:5;
one of the most ancient and most important of the cities of Syria. It is situated 130 miles northeast of Jerusalem, in a plain of vast size and of extreme fertility, which lies east of the great chain of Anti-Libanus, on the edge of the desert. This fertile plain, which is nearly circular and about 30 miles in diameter, is due to the river Barada , which is probably the "Abana" of Scripture. Two other streams the Wady Helbon upon the north and the Awaj, which flows direct from Hermon upon the south, increase the fertility of the Damascene plain, and contend for the honor of representing the "Pharpar" of Scripture. According to Josephus, Damascus was founded by Uz grandson of Shem. It is first mentioned in Scripture in connection with Abraham, (Genesis 14:15) whose steward was a native of the place. (
A celebrated metropolis of Syria, first mentioned in Ge 14:15 15:2, and now probably the oldest city on the globe. It stands on the river Barada, the ancient Chrysorrhoas, in a beautiful and fertile plain on the east and south east of Anti-Lebanon. See ABANA, and Pharpar. This plain is about fifty miles in circumference; it is open to the desert of Arabiaon the south and east, and is bounded on the other sides by the mountains. The region around and north of Damascus, including probably the valley between the ridges of Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon, is called in the Scriptures, "Syria of Damascus," 2Sa 8:5, and by Strabo, Coelesyria. This city, which at first had its own kings, was taken by David, 2Sa 8:5,6; and by Jeroboam
סוּר (sur) is a Hebrew verb meaning to turn aside or depart. It encompasses a range of actions including removal, avoidance, and coming to an end. The word can be used in various forms, such as causing something to turn aside or be taken away. It appears in contexts involving both literal and figurative departures.
סוּר and [שׂוּר] 300 vb. turn aside
Qal
turn aside, out of one's course
depart
of lifeless things = be removed
= come to an end
Pô‛lēl he turned aside my ways (my steps)
Hiph.
cause to (turn aside,) depart, common word for remove, take away
rarer uses
Pô‛lēl be taken away, removed
base
H5493 סוּר, שׂוּר turn aside .. turn aside, out of one's course
. depart
. of lifeless things = be removed
. = come to an end
.he turned aside my ways (my steps)
. . cause to (turn aside,) depart, common word for remove, take away
. rarer uses
.be taken away, removed
5493 cuwr soor
or suwr (Hosea 9:12) {soor}; a primitive root; to turn off
(literal or figurative):--be(-head), bring, call back,
decline, depart, eschew, get (you), go (aside), X grievous,
lay away (by), leave undone, be past, pluck away, put (away,
down), rebel, remove (to and fro), revolt, X be sour, take
(away, off), turn (aside, away, in), withdraw, be without.
סוּר (sur) — to turn aside: remove.
: remove
1) to turn aside, depart
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to turn aside, turn in unto
1a2) to depart, depart from way, avoid
1a3) to be removed
1a4) to come to an end
1b) (Polel) to turn aside
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to turn aside, cause to depart, remove, take away, put away, depose
1c2) to put aside, leave undone, retract, reject, abolish
1d) (Hophal) to be taken away, be removed
סוּר (sur) — to turn aside: depart.
: depart
1) to turn aside, depart
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to turn aside, turn in unto
1a2) to depart, depart from way, avoid
1a3) to be removed
1a4) to come to an end
1b) (Polel) to turn aside
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to turn aside, cause to depart, remove, take away, put away, depose
1c2) to put aside, leave undone, retract, reject, abolish
1d) (Hophal) to be taken away, be removed
סוּר (sur) — to turn aside: turn aside.
: turn_aside/deflect
V-Hophal-Inf-c — Verb · Hophal · participle (passive) masculine singularHVHsmsa
The Hebrew word עִיר (*'iyr*) has meanings related to both excitement and city. It can denote excitement, particularly of terror or rage, as well as refer to a city or town, indicating a place that is guarded or inhabited. The entries suggest a broad application, from fortified cities to simple encampments. There is a specific mention of a man named Ir in 1 Chronicles 4:12.
עִיר n.[m.] excitement;—of terror; of rage
base
עִיר 1092 n.f. city, town
city, town, abode of men
of fortress in a city
appar. fortified place, of any size
base
H5892a עִיר excitement;—of terror; of rage H5892b עִיר city, town . city, town, abode of men
. of fortress in a city
. appar. fortified place, of any size
5892 `iyr eer
or (in the plural) par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4)
{aw-yar'}; from 5782 a city (a place guarded by waking or a
watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or
post):--Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
see HEBREW for 05782
עִיר (ir) — excitement.
1) excitement, anguish
1a) of terror
עִיר (ir) — city.
1) city, town (a place of waking, guarded)
1a) city, town (a place of waking, guarded)
1a) city, town
עִיר (ir) — City (of On).
Combined with on (אֹן "On" H0204)
This name means city, town
Another name of on (אֹן "On" H0204)
עִיר (ir) — Ir-.
#A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.12;
son of: Tehinnah (H8468)
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHR/Ncfsa
sit'-i (`ir, qiryah; polis):
I. THE CANAANITE CITY
1. Origin
2. Extent
3. Villages
4. Sites
5. External Appearance
6. General
II. THE CITY OF THE JEWISH OCCUPATION
1. Tower or Stronghold
2. High Place
3. Broad Place
4. Streets
5. General Characteristics
III. STORE CITIES
IV. LEVITICAL CITIES
LITERATURE
I. The Canaanite City.
1. Origin:
The development of the Canaanite city has been traced by Macalister in his report on the excavation at Gezer (Palestine Exploration Fund Statement, 1904, 108 ff). It originated on the slopes of a bare rocky spur, in which the Neolithic Troglodytes quarried their habitations out of the solid rock, the stones therefrom being used to form a casing to the earthen ramparts, with which the site was afterwards surrounded and which served as a protection against the intrusion of enemies. Later Semitic intruders occupied the site, stone houses were built, and high stone defense…
City
The earliest mention of city-building is that of Enoch, which was built by Cain (Gen. 4:17). After the confusion of tongues, the descendants of Nimrod founded several cities (10:10-12). Next, we have a record of the cities of the Canaanites, Sidon, Gaza, Sodom, etc. (10:12, 19; 11:3, 9; 36:31-39). The earliest description of a city is that of Sodom (19:1-22). Damascus is said to be the oldest existing city in the world. Before the time of Abraham there were cities in Egypt (Num. 13:22). The Israelites in Egypt were employed in building the “treasure cities” of Pithom and Raamses (Ex. 1:11); but it does not seem that they had any cities of their own in Goshen (Gen.…
The towns and cities of Palestine were commonly built on heights, for better security against robbers or invaders. These heights, surrounded by walls, sometimes formed the entire city. In other cases, the citadel alone crowned the hill, around and at the base of which the town was built; and in time of danger the surrounding population all took refuge in the fortified place. Larger towns and cities were often not only defended by strong outer walls, with towers and gates, but by a citadel or castle within these limits-a last resort when the rest of the city was taken, Jud 9:46,51. The "fenced cities" of the Jews, De 3:5, were of various sizes and degrees of strength; some being surrounded by high and thick stone walls, and others by feebler ramparts, often of clay or sun-dried…
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Conj | V-Qal-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person feminine singularHc/Vqq3fs
מְעִי (me.i) refers to a ruin or heap, specifically described as a pile of rubbish. It appears only in Isaiah 17:1 and is derived from a root meaning to be contorted. The lexicons agree on its meaning as a heap or ruin, though the form is noted as unusual.
מְעִי only in Is 17:1; n[m.] = עִי ruin-heap, but form very strange
base
H4596 מְעִי ruin
4596 m`iy meh-ee'
from 5753; a pile of rubbish (as contorted), i.e. a ruin
(compare 5856):--heap.
see HEBREW for 05753
see HEBREW for 05856
מְעִי (me.i) — heap.
ruin, heap
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
מַפָּלָה (mappalah) means 'ruin' and is derived from the root meaning 'something fallen.' It has two forms: מַפָּלָה and מַפֵּלָה, both referring to a ruinous state. The term appears in contexts related to cities, specifically in Isaiah 17:1 and Isaiah 23:13.
H4654a מַפָּלָה a ruin H4654b מַפֵּלָה id. [4654a]
4654 mappalah map-paw-law'
or mappelah {map-pay-law'}; from 5307; something fallen, i.e.
a ruin:--ruin(-ous).
see HEBREW for 05307
מַפָּלָה (map.pa.lah) — ruin.
a ruin
Another spelling of ma.pe.lah (מַפֵּלָה "ruin" H4654B)
מַפֵּלָה (ma.pe.lah) — ruin.
a ruin
Also means: map.pa.lah (מַפָּלָה "ruin" H4654A)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
roo'-in (haricah, etc.; rhegma): "Ruin," the translation of haricah (Am 9:11; compare Ac 15:16, where the Revised Version (British and American) Greek text, ta katestrammena), and of a number of other Hebrew words: in Lu 6:49 rhegma, "breakage," is used both in a literal sense (Isa 23:13; 25:2, of fallen buildings; Eze 27:27; 31:13, of a state or people; Lu 6:49, of a house, etc.) and with a moral significance (Pr 26:28). the Revised Version margin correctly renders mikhshol in